In a surprising turn of events, the Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant in Japan has shut down one of its reactors only days after it was restarted following a 13-year hiatus.
The number two reactor at Onagawa, located in Japan’s northeastern region, had resumed operations on October 29 but was halted again due to technical issues.
This restart was significant as it marked a step towards Japan’s larger goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
However, the plant experienced operational glitches, prompting an immediate shutdown on Monday to investigate the root cause.
Reports indicate that the problem involved a measuring instrument, although no radioactive material has leaked, according to the plant’s operator, Tohoku Electric Power Company.
The decision to shut down the reactor again underscores the importance of safety in the nuclear energy sector, especially in Japan, where the memory of the 2011 Fukushima disaster is still fresh.
Notably, the Onagawa plant had withstood the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami of 2011, which severely damaged its nearby counterpart.
Before the Fukushima incident, Japan relied heavily on nuclear power, operating 54 commercial nuclear power plants.
However, the disaster led to a nationwide shutdown, and only recently has the country begun to reopen selected facilities.
The plan for Onagawa’s number two reactor was to start generating power and connect to the grid this November, with commercial operations set to begin on December 25.
Despite these setbacks, measures continue to address potential concerns, and the plant operator reassures that there is no immediate danger to public safety.
While the company has not announced a new restart date for the reactor, the situation remains under monitoring to ensure that any risks are mitigated and that the facility can safely support Japan’s energy needs.